Sachin Yadav’s unbeaten 115 puts Rajasthan in control against Railways

Yadav answers opening-match setback with a century

Sachin Yadav put a disappointing start to his Ranji Trophy campaign behind him, scoring an unbeaten 115 to steer Rajasthan to 247/2 against Railways in their Group D match at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. The left-handed opener reached his second first-class century from 221 deliveries, hitting 15 fours and two sixes.

After scoring 1 and 0 against Tamil Nadu in his previous match, Yadav negotiated a testing opening spell in overcast conditions and built his innings patiently. He brought up the hundred by steering Adarsh Singh to third man for a single, then leapt in celebration and copied a gesture associated with KL Rahul, drawing a circle on the pitch and planting his bat in its centre.

‘This is my place’

Yadav said the ground held special significance for him. “I consider SMS Stadium as my fortress because I made my debut here and a lot of my good knocks have come here. That is why I did that particular celebration which I took from KL Rahul’s books to communicate that this is my place,” he said after play.

He said his approach was to take the innings one session at a time. “The overcast conditions gave the bowlers some initial movement. My strategy was just to bide my time instead of rushing into things,” Yadav said.

Lamba joins the charge as weather cuts play short

Karan Lamba remained unbeaten on 89 from 122 balls, with nine fours and two sixes, as he and Yadav put on an unbroken 157 for the third wicket. Rajasthan’s innings was interrupted when a hailstorm forced stumps nearly an hour earlier than scheduled. Lamba, who scored a century in the previous match, survived a late dropped chance at slip off Zubair Ali.

Rajasthan had lost Rohan Rajbhar for 11 after he was caught at mid-off off Kunal Yadav, having earlier been dropped off Adarsh Singh. Sumit Godara made 25 from 47 balls, including two sixes, before Railways captain Bhargav Merai trapped him lbw shortly before lunch.

Yadav, 22, has previously made 130 against Delhi and scored 92 on his first-class debut against Mumbai last season. Looking ahead to the next day, he said: “Tomorrow we will look to negotiate the first hour and hopefully we will again dominate the opponents.”